Timid Meaning
/ˈtɪmɪd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjLacking in courage or confidence.
Sentence Examples
Generally speaking, we Japanese are a little too timid in speaking foreign languages.
New hires who just joined the company do everything in this timid manner.
Bob is very timid and blushes when chatting with girls.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ young boy stayed quiet and avoided eye contact with the guests.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The small kitten was very ____ at first and spent most of the morning hiding under the couch in the living room today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Latin timeō Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-der. Proto-Italic *-iðos Latin -idus Latin timidusder. Middle French timideder. English timid From Middle French timide, from Latin timidus (“full of fear, fearful, timid”), from timeō (“to fear”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him.[…]. The captive made no resistance and came not only quietly but in a series of eager little rushes like a timid dog on a choke chain."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ young boy stayed quiet and avoided eye contact with the guests.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The small kitten was very ____ at first and spent most of the morning hiding under the couch in the living room today.